Fast-growing willows significantly reduce invasive knotweed spread

Distribution of Asian knotweeds on the Rhône River basin, France: A multi-scale model of invasibility that combines biophysical and anthropogenic factors.

“…(4)), indicates that trees or shrubs covering the river corridor limit the presence of knotweed, especially in basin areas of <200 km 2 . This result is consistent with field observations and with research literature identifying knotweed as a pioneering heliophile that would better grow in open spaces rather than in the shade of dense trees or shrubs (e.g., Dommanget et al, 2019).…”

“…4,ForestBuff). This result confirms the important roles played by light availability in mature forests (e.g., Bímová et al, 2004;Schnitzler, 1997) and competition between knotweeds and other riparian species (Dommanget et al, 2019). All the variables describing riparian vegetation show the same pattern.…”

“…Vegetative propagules (i.e., fragments of rhizome and aerial stems) also seem to be involved in spreading the complex along watercourses (Mandák et al, 2004;Bailey et al, 2009;Colleran and Goodall, 2014). The establishment of knotweeds on riverbanks also largely depends on river characteristics; i.e., abiotic factors as well as biotic characteristics and human activities (e.g., Bímová et al, 2004;Dommanget et al, 2019). Knotweeds thus represent a very interesting model by which to better understand the interconnected physical, biotic and social processes that unfold in riparian zones.…”

“…Given the strong presence of knotweeds in France, this research is an important step to answer the operational questions of managers while taking into account the biophysical and anthropic context of river basins: namely, once management of knotweeds is deemed necessary (Rouifed and Cottet, 2019), where should one act and concentrate efforts and where should one let go? (Dommanget et al, 2019).…”

Improving the management of Japanese knotweed s.l.: a response to Jones and colleagues

“…Amongst these, we think that the control of knotweeds through the restoration of competitive native species, when combined with other methods (e.g. mowing/cutting, tarping, uprooting), represents a promising perspective as this technique offers the huge advantage of fulfilling several management objectives at once: i) it reduces the vigour and lateral expansion rate of knotweeds (Dommanget et al 2019); ii) by maintaining a dense vegetation cover, this method increases the biotic resistance against re-invasion from knotweeds or other invasive plants (Dommanget et al 2015); and iii) in riparian corridors, it could favour the stabilisation of riverbanks and thus lower the rate of knotweed dispersal downstream (Martin 2019). Other promising methods are currently being investigated by various teams, such as biological control (Jones et al 2020b), tarping/covering using geotextiles or geomembranes (Marie-Anne Dusz, pers.…”